Portable camping unit



C. A. MITAS Dec. 26, 1967 PORTABLE CAMPING UN IT 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledJan. 21, 1966 INVENTOR.

CHARLES A. M/TA 5 ATTORNEY 1967 c. A. MITAS 3,359,693

PORTABLE CAMPING UNIT Filed Jan. 21, 1966 3 Sheets She et 2 INVENTOR.

CHARLES A. M T s ATTOQMEY United States Patent 3,359,693 PORTABLE CAL[PING UNIT Charles A. Mitas, 414 N. 11th Ave., Beech Grove, Ind. 46107Filed Jan. 21, 1966, Ser. No. 522,107 8 Claims. (Cl. 5264) Thisinvention relates to a portable camper and in partioular to a rigidcamping unit especially adapted for being used and transported on thetop of a car.

While my invention may he generally referred to as a car-top camper, itis to be understood that it is not to be restricted to such use. Due toits unique rigidity features my camper may be used for a variety ofoutdoor uses, including use as an ice shed for ice fishing. This can beaccomplished by securing ice runners to the bottom of the unit and thentowing it 'by a snowmobile or other means. In a like manner it isconceivable that my unit can be used on overnight hikes where theterrain is relatively flat by attaching two or four small Wheels to theunit. In general, the car-top camper of this invention may be made oflight-weight sheet metal, such as aluminum. It may also be formed of anyother rigid material which is weather proof such as plastic-laminatedmaterial, thin sheets of fiberglass or the like.

While other car-top campers depend in part on using canvas material, myunit is formed entirely of rigid material which will shed water easily.Consequently, there is no delay in collapsing the unit when it has beensubjected to moisture. Whereas canvas units should be substantiallydried before being collapsed for transportation, my unit may be foldedinto collapsed form immediately after a rainstorm Without fear ofcausing damage such as mildew. Ventilation is maintained in the uniteven when it is collapsed. The unique design of my invention whichenables the use of only rigid material also results in a car-top camperwith unusual strength, enabling it to withstand severe windstormswithout fear of collapsing. Its strength is so great that should theneed arise, the car on which the unit is mounted may be driven while theunit is still in its fully erected position.

In general, my camper is of a substantially trapezoidal configurationwhen erected. This geometric form provides an exceptionally strongstructure and minimizes the use of support braces. When collapsed itresembles a fiat compact box with reduced dimensions in both length andheight which can be locked. The camper may be secured to a pair ofcar-top carrier bars in a conventional manner, such as securing clampsto the bottom of the camper and the bars. The four walls of the unit arehinged to the four sides of the rectangular base. Two of the oppositewalls have two roof sections hinged to them thereby enabling all of thewalls as well as the roof sections to be collapsed into a compact stackon top of the base. There is still sufficient space remaining betweenthis stack of wall and roof sections and the base to store suchessential items as mattresses, blankets and even food staples.

The result is an exceptionally comfortable camper that provides adequatespace for two normal-sized persons. There is no fear of unwantedintrusion by the wildlife from the surrounding area or of the elements,unlike that experienced by those using ground tents. While campingtrailers also provide such protection, they often present problems inregard to towing and finding sufi'icient ground space to park them. Myunit requires a minimum amount of set-up time and can be erected by oneperson in a matter of minutes. In the off season my unit, because of thesmall amount of space it consumes when collapsed, may be easily hung inthe garage. If desired the unit may be rolled to a storage area bysimply adding roller casters to one of its sides.

It is, therefore, one object of this invention to provide a new andimproved portable camping unit.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improvedcar-top camper which is formed entirely of rigid material.

Another object of this invention is to provide a camper which when fullycollapsed is substantially reduced in length and height as compared toits erected dimensions.

Another object of this invention is to provide a neat appearing car-topcamper which is not affected by the elements and is highly resistant towinds.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art upon reading the following detailed description inconnection with the draw ings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the car-top camping unit of thisinvention in its collapsed form and mounted on the roof of aconventional sedan;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the camper of this invention inerected form;

FIGURE 3 is a view taken in longitudinal cross-section of the unit shownin FIGURE 1 when the unit is collapsed;

FIGURE 4 is a view taken in longitudinal cross-section along lines 4-4of the unit shown in FIGURE 2 when erected;

FIGURE 5 is a view taken in cross-section along lines 55 of the unitshown in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 6 is a partial plane view of the camper with its roof shown incross-section taken along lines 66 of FIGURE 2, and with the units doorpartially raised;

FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of a sealing flap used to seal the cornerjoint between the units roof and a wall;

FIGURE 8 is a partial perspective view of one means for joining theunits r-oof sections;

FIGURE 9 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the unit ofthis invention.

Referring to FIGURES 1 and 2 it is to be noted that the unit 11 of thisinvention may be mounted on a pair of car t-op carrier bars 13. Themanner in which the unit may be folded into a compact arrangementenables it to be mounted on the limited roof area of a hardtop sedan. Ifthe unit is to be designed for a station wagon or other vehicle having alarger roof area the dimentions of the camper may be increasedaccordingly.

As shown in FIGURES 3 and 5, the car-top camper of this invention, whencollapsed, has only two of its walls, 15 and 16, visible. These twoendwalls approach each other in configuration and dimensions with theexception that wall 15 is slightly Wider in order to overlap a portionof wall 16.

Referring to FIGURES 1 through 5, the camper comprises a rectangularbase 18 formed from a rigid material such as sheet aluminum. But for afew apparent exceptions, such as the windows, all of the other elementsof the camper may be made of a similar material. Base 18 has twointegral upright and opposed flanges 20 which extend along the fulllength of the base. Extending in hinged fashion from the top edges ofthese two flanges 20 are a pair of vertical and opposed sidewalls 21.These two sidewalls 21 are hinged to the flanges in order for them to befolded downwardly when the unit is collapsed. Piano hinges 23 will beadequate for supporting the sidewalls. As shown in FIGURE 4, each of thesidewalls comprises a pair of spaced right angle triangular sections 25with their vertical side edges facing each other. This provides spacebetween each of the two pairs of triangular sections for mounting arectangular section 26 having a window 27, a small hand-size door 28 anda ventilator 29, if so desired. The window may be formed from atransparent plastic material or may ;be a screen, in which 3 case ametal storm barrier may be provided for it. It is, of course, to beunderstood that each of the sidewalls 21 may also be formed from asingle sheet of material with appropriate cutouts for the windows.However, in order to provide for an access door, one of the sidewallsshould include a door section 32 which is hinged along its upperhorizontal edge (see FIGURE 6). A hinged drop-down step 24 may also beprovided to facilitate entering the unit. A short, portable ladder 22may be placed against one of the car bars 1 3 to allow easy entry intothe unit.

Extending along the top of each sidewall 21 and mounted on sections 25is an arcuate roof support 30. Each of these supports may be formed intoa member with an upper curved surface 3-1 to support the roof to be yetdescribed. A hole 38 may be placed in one or both of the supports toprovide more ventilation. While these roof supports 30 may also beformed from sheet metal they may also be formed from a solid materialsuch as wood. The main requisite is that the roof supports have upperarcuate surfaces 31 which are sufiiciently wide and long enough toprovide support for the roof. Referring to FIGURE 7, arcuate surface 31when formed from sheet metal has rolled edges 33 which eliminate anotherwise sharp surface as well as serving another purpose to beexplained hereinafter. Since the two sidewalls 21 and roof supports 3tmust be able to fold inwardly for storage into the rectangular base 18,it is essential that their overall height is slightly less than thewidth of the base.

The pair of endwalls 15 and 16 are hinged by means such as piano hinges34 to opposite ends of the base and on its. bottom panel. Each of theend walls may be described as an open-ended trough-like member inasmuchas each has a main panel 35, two fiat and opposed flange panels 36 andan end panel 37. The two fiange panels, at their open ends terminatewith a slightly arcuate edge to conform with the surface 31 of the roofsupports 30. Although the illustrated embodiment in FIGURES 15 shows oneend panel 35 to be of a dilferent curvature when compared to thearcu-a-te panel 35 of the other endwall it is to be understood that theymay be of like configuration. It is also tobe understood that they neednot be arouate and may instead be flat. However, the arcuate surfacesadd to the overall streamlined appearance of the camping unit in itscollapsed form as well as providing additional space for placingpersonal items when the unit is in its erected form.

Each of the endwalls 15 and 16- is mounted in 'a straddling positionover the base 18 in that their flange panels are adjacent to theexterior surfaces of the base flanges 20 thereby assuring a watertightunit. In addition, each of these endwalls may be of equal length andshould be slightly less than the length of the base in order to foldinto the base.

Roof 40 comprises two separate and like sections 41 hinged to the upperend of a respective endwall 15 and 16. Each section 41 is bowed whenerected to provide additional strength and to enable proper runoff ofrain. The width of each roof section is such that it may be foldedsubstantially flush against the inner surface of its associated endwalland the interior of the base. Referring to FIG. 4 it is to be observedthat the transverse free edge of each roof, section 41 has a hook-likelip 43 extending along its width. These two lips may be locked with lips45 of a locking strip 46 which also extends across the width of the roof40. If desired, locking strip 46 may be an integral part of one of. theroof sections. Otherwise, a pair of wedge members 48 fixed to one of theroof sections 41. near each of its free ends may serve to maintain thelocking strip 46 in its proper position.

Refer-ring to FIGURES 3 and where the camping unit is shown in itscollapsed position, it can be seen that all of the wall members 15, 16and 21 and roof sections 41 fold into the base 18 with one of theendwalls 15 overlapping the other endwall 15 to. cooperate therewith andform a, cover for the collapsed unit. The various sections within walls15 and 16 are shown in a substantially horizontal position to illustratehow items such as a mattress can be stored between them and base 18. Tomaintain the unit in this collapsed form eyebolts 50 may be placedthrough the two roof sections and into the sidewall sections in the baseat the four corners of the base. Attention is directed to the fact thatnone of the exterior surfaces of the unit come into contact withinterior surfaces, thus eliminating soiling of clean surfaces.

To erect the unit the above mentioned eyebolts 50 are first unscrewed.The overlapping endwall 15 is raised upwardly about its pivot, carryingwith it one of the hinged roof sections 41. The other endwall 16 israised in a similar manner. With the two endwalls no longer laying ontop of the two sidewalls 21 these walls 21 may be raised to a verticalposition adjacent the inner surfaces of flanges 26 on the endwalls. Withthe four wall members in their raised positions the two roof sections 41are raised away from their associated endwalls. Once the roof sectionsare raised, their lips 43 are engaged with the lips 45 of the lockingstrip 46. Pressure is exerted against the roof sections from inside theunit by the raising of the sidewalls 21 and their roof supports 30 tohow the roof sections and assure positive engagement with the lockingstrip. The two arcuate roof supports 30 are now in contact with theouter portions of the bowed roof sections 4-1 to provide verticalsupport.

The locking strip 46 in addition to connecting the two roof sectionsalso serves to maintain the two sidewalls in their upright positions.This is accomplished by the predetermined. dimensions of the roofsections which cause their lips 43 to exert a pulling force on the twolips 45 of the locking strip. This in turn effects a downward force onthe roof support elements. To further increase the rigidity of the unit,eyebolts 50 may be placed through the upper four corners of the basessidewalls and into the flanges 36 of the endwalls (FIG. 4). Likewise,eyebolts 5041 may be placed through the upper portions of sections 25and into flanges 36. Consequently, it is impossible for the two endwalls15 and 16 to be displaced from their slightly inclined erectedpositions. Additional locking means may be provided by the use of alatch 53 (FIG. 6) on one end of the roof locking strip 46 and whichconnects to a roof support 39. A latch may also be placed on the otherend of the locking strip.

To assure a rainproof unit thin sealing strips of foam rubber or foamedplastic material may be cemented along the edges of the triangularsections 25 of the sidewalls 21 where they are overlapped by thesidewall flange panels 36. In addition, in order to prevent any rainleakage through the four corners of the unit where the roof sections,endwalls and sidewalls meet, adjustable sealing flaps 55 formed fromaluminum or the like may be mounted within the rolled edges 31 on arcuate surface 31 of the roof supports 30 as shown in FIGURE 7. After theunit is erected a person may adjust these sealing strips from inside tocompletely close all four corners. This adjustment is performed moreeasily by providing the levers 56 on the sealing flaps which may begrasped in order to slide the flaps the proper distance. Mounting screws(no-t visible) extend from the roof supports curved surfaces 31 into thegroove 57 of each flap 55' to limit the travel of the flap. The flapsalso serve to lock the flange panels 36 in their erected positions.

The unit is now ready to be used. As shown in FIG- URES 3 and 5, asufiicient amount of space is preserved in the unit, even whencollapsed, to easily store a flexible mattress. The mattress will extendto its full length as soon as the two endwalls 15 and 16 are erected.Thus, two persons may sleep parallel to the sidewalls. The largerarcuate end 37 on one of the endwalls may be used to keep some of thecampers personal gear. Although the length of the unit, when collapsedmay be approximately 56 inches, it grows to 73 inches when erected. Thisis achieved by positioning the endwall end panels 37 so that they serveas extensions of the base. Likewise, flange panels 36 are extensions ofsidewalls 21. In such a manner the unit may be placed on the roof of acar having a relatively small area since portions of the unit, whenerected, will overhang the car roof. The height of the unit when erectedis 42 inches in the particular embodiment. When collapsed, it is 12inches.

When the unit is erected it is structurally secure due to itsinterlocking features and eyebolts. These various support featurescomplement each other-the unit is not wholly dependent on any oneelement. Thus, a roof section 41 may be naised and swung backwardsagainst its connected wall 15 or 16 if a sky light roof is desired. Anetting may be draped over the area that is normally covered by roofsection 41.

The second embodiment illustrated in FIGURE 9 shows how the previouslymentioned storage space may be increased. The height of the base flanges20 may be increased. A jointed hinge coupling 63 is pivotally attachedat one end to the endwall flange panel 36* and at the other end to thebase flange 20. When the unit is collapsed the endwalls 15 and 16 stillfully cover base 18 and base flanges 20. The increased height of flanges20 enables a number of pull-out drawers 65 to added for storing luggage,ladder 22 and other supplies. Access may be had to the drawers withouterecting the unit. The four jointed hinge couplings 63 enable theendwalls 15 and 16 to be vertically raised several inches in theirhorizontal position, thereby providing clearance for pulling out thedrawers. The walls 15 and 16 may be kept in this position by placingeyebolts 50 through flange panels 36 and holes 67 in base flanges 20. Insuch an arrangement a second base panel not visible may be laid abovethe drawers to support the mattress.

Also shown in this second embodiment is a strengthening strip 69 whichextends across the width of panel 35. This strip reinforces panel 35. Inaddition, the strip acts as a seal between walls 15 and 16 when theyI316 collapsed over each other. This seal is desirable since it preventsrain from entering the unit during transit on the top of a car. Thestrip may also be included in the first embodiment of its invention.

Although only two embodiments of this invention have been described andillustrated, it will be apparent to those with ordinary skill in the artthat other modifications can be made without departing from the spiritof the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A collapsible car-top camper having six basic surfaces comprising: abase, a roof, two opposed endwalls and two opposed sidewalls, all ofsaid surfaces being formed from a substantially rigid material; each ofsaid endwalls comprising a main rectangular panel with an open end and aclosed end hinged on said base and flanked on two opposed edges by apair of flanges; each of said sidewalls being hinged to said base andhaving an arcuate roof support with end portions extending tosubstantially the length of said base; a pair of roofed sections hingedat one edge on the open end of each of said endwalls with means on theiropposite edges for securing them together; said sidewalls and saidendwalls being in partial overlapping relationship with each other andin abutment with said roof when erected, said endwalls when collapsedhaving their open ends overlapping each other to fully cover said base,said roof sections and said sidewalls lying within the confines of saidcollapsed endwalls.

2. A collapsible car-top camper according to claim 1 in which each ofsaid endwalls is hinged to said base at its closed end on a linefarthest spaced from said main rectangular panel whereby said closedends form an extension of said base upon erection of said endwalls.

3. A collapsible car-top camper according to claim 2 in which each ofsaid endwalls slightly exceeds the Width of said base and one of saidendwalls exceeds the width on the other endwall whereby the endwalls arein overlapping and nestled positions when collapsed parallel with saidbase.

4. A collapsible car-top camper according to claim 3 in which each ofsaid sidewalls is hinged to said base on a flange extending the lengthof said base whereby said sidewalls may be collapsed parallel with saidbase to provide storage space therebetween.

5. A collapsible car-top camper according to claim 4 in which saidendwalls converge and straddle portions of said base flanges and saidarcuate roof supports.

6. A collapsible car-top camper according to claim 5 in which said pairof roof sections are outwardly bowed and butted flush with said arcuateroof supports when fully secured together.

7. A collapsible oar-top camper according to claim 6 in which said meansfor securing the edges of said roof sections together comprises a rigidchannel strip having two lips facing each other engageable withrespective lips on said roof sections.

8. A collapsible car-top camper according to claim 1 in which saidendwalls are hinged to said base by a jointed hinge coupling providingupward movement of said end walls.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,567,516 9/1951 Jones 52-663,062,579 11/ 1962 Smith 296-Z3 3,168,343 2/ 1965 Marcel 296-27 FOREIGNPATENTS 530,648 1954 Belgium. 1,080,320 1954 France. 1,006,279 1957Germany.

818,630 1959 Great Britain.

FRANK L. ABBOTT, Primary Examiner.

R. A. STENZEL, Assistant Examiner.

1. A COLLAPSIBLE CAR-TOP CAMPER HAVING SIX BASIC SURFACES COMPRISING: ABASE, A ROOF, TWO OPPOSED ENDWALLS AND TWO OPPOSED SIDEWALLS, ALL OFSAID SURFACES BEING FORMED FROM A SUBSTANTIALLY RIGID MATERIAL; EACH OFSAID ENDWALLS COMPRISING A MAIN RECTANGULAR PANEL WITH AN OPEN END AND ACLOSED END HINGED ON SAID BASE AND FLANKED ON TWO OPPOSED EDGES BY APAIR OF FLANGES; EACH OF SAID SIDEWALLS BEING HINGED TO SAID BASE ANDHAVING AN ARCUATE ROOF SUPPORT WITH END PORTION EXTENDING TOSUBSTANTIALLY THE LENGTH OF SAID BASE; A PAIR OF ROOFED SECTIONS HINGEDAT ONE EDGE ON THE OPEN END OF EACH OF SAID ENDWALLS WITH MEANS ON THEIROPPOSITE EDGES FOR SECURING THEM TOGETHER; SAID SIDEWALLS AND SAIDENDWALLS BEING IN PARTIAL OVERLAPPING RELATIONSHIP WITH EACH OTHER ANDIN ABUTMENT WITH SAID ROOF WHEN ERECTED, SAID ENDWALLS WHEN COLLAPSEDHAVING THEIR OPEN ENDS OVERLAPPING EACH OTHER TO FULLY COVER SAID BASE,SAID ROOF SECTIONS AND SAID SIDEWALLS LYING WITHIN THE CONFINES OF SAIDCOLLAPSED ENDWALLS.